Variable-gravity anti-vortex and vapor-ingestion-suppression device

ABSTRACT

A liquid propellant management device for placement in a liquid storage tank adjacent an outlet of the storage tank to substantially reduce or eliminate the formation of a dip and vortex in the liquid of the tank, as well as prevent vapor ingestion into the outlet, as the liquid drains out through the outlet. The liquid propellant management device has a first member adapted to suppress the formation of a vortex of a liquid exiting the storage tank. A plate is affixed generally perpendicular to the first member, wherein the plate is adapted to suppress vapor ingestion into the outlet by reducing a dip in a surface level of the liquid leaving the tank. A second member is affixed to the second side of the plate. The second member ensures that the plate is wet with liquid and assists in positioning bubbles away from the outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application No.09/957,859 filed on Sep. 21, 2001. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to anti-vortex andvapor-ingestion-suppression devices, and more particularly to ananti-vortex vapor-ingestion-suppression device that works in variousgravity environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many space vehicles, generally use a liquid propellant which isstored in storage tanks and fed into engines during take off and flightin space. The liquid must be moved from the storage tanks to the enginein an efficient manner. First, vapor or gas cannot be allowed to enterthe engines in any great amount or too early in the ignition process. Ifgas is introduced into the engines, it may cause a stall or othermalfunctioning of the engine that may increase the possibility of enginefailure. It is generally known in the art to provide a device that is beplaced in the propellant storage tanks which will reduce the acquisitionof gas into the engine. Second, it is desirable to empty the storagetanks as completely as possible during an engine burn and flight toreduce re-entry weight and increase vehicle payload. Typically, aportion of liquid propellant still remains in the tank, therebyincreasing the vehicle weight and reducing the maximum payload of thevehicle.

[0004] One solution to vapor ingestion is to provide a screen thatencompasses the interior area of the tank or at least a portion thereof.Therefore, fluid is wicked through the screens by capillary action, andvapor or gas bubbles are prevented from flowing through the screens bythe bubble point pressure of the fluid screen system. Screen systems aremade most advantageous only for storage tanks being used in low gravityand are less useful in environments where significant gravity ispresent. Additionally, the screen systems typically cannot be used withcertain liquid propellants such as hydrogen peroxide due to materialincompatibility between H₂O₂ and typical screen materials. The increasedsurface area of the screens adds more area for chemical reactions wherethe liquid propellant may decompose.

[0005] Other systems provide vanes extending a distance from the sump ofthe tank towards the walls of the storage tank. These vanes help bringliquid propellants to the outflow area of the storage tank throughcapillary action. Furthermore, the vanes help reduce the ingestion ofgas bubbles into the engine of the vehicle. The vanes used in knownvapor ingestion suppression systems, however, are for very low flowrates and cannot provide substantial vapor ingestion suppression at thehigher flow rates of many reusable space craft.

[0006] Thus, the generally known anti-vapor ingestion systems includeseveral drawbacks. Additionally, known systems allow too much fuel to beleft in the storage tanks thereby decreasing the efficient use of thefuel stored in the tanks and decreasing the payload for a similarlysized tank and vehicle. Additionally, the known systems increase thebreakdown of certain propellant fluids into gas and non-fuel or inertsubstances. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that willallow for anti-vortexing of the fuel as it leaves the tank, and toincrease ingestion of liquid propellant into the sump and outlet,thereby increasing the efficiency of the storage tanks and decreasingthe possible ingestion of gases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, astorage vessel has an outlet and a liquid propellant management systemadjacent the outlet. The liquid propellant management system reduces adip and a vortex of a liquid, which reduces vapor ingestion into theoutlet of the tank in both high gravity environments and low gravityenvironments. The liquid propellant management system has a first vanewith bores, a first end a second end. A plate is also included withbores having a first side and a second side where the first side isoperably associated with the first vane. The system also has a secondvane operably associated with the second side of the plate. The firstvane is adapted to substantially reduce a vortex of a liquid. The platesubstantially reduces a dip of a liquid due to frictional energydissipation, and the second vane provides frictional energy dissipationand substantially wets the plate with a liquid in the tank.

[0008] In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, aliquid propellant management device for use in a liquid storage tank hasa first member to suppress the formation of a vortex in a liquid exitingthe tank. A plate operably associated with the first member is alsoincluded to substantially reduce vapor ingestion into the outlet of thetank. A second member is also included and operably associated with theplate to wet the plate with liquid stored in the tank and provideadditional energy dissipation via friction.

[0009] In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, aliquid storage tank is disclosed which has at least an outlet and aliquid management device. The liquid management device has a vortexsuppression vane with a plate, to reduce ingestion of vapor, affixed tothe top of the vortex suppression vane. Also, a bubble positioning vaneis affixed atop the plate. The vortex suppression vane suppressesvortices that attempt to form in liquids as they are exiting the liquidstorage tank. The plate reduces the dip due to frictional energydissipation as the liquid attempts to exit the tank. The bubblepositioning vane works to ensure that the plate is wet with liquid atall times during emptying of the liquid storage tank. It also helps toposition the bubbles away from the outlet to ensure that ingestion ofgas into the outlet is non-existent or minimal.

[0010] Further areas of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention,are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tank includinga liquid management device according to a first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid managementdevice in the storage tank shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a liquid storage tank including avolume of liquid;

[0016]FIG. 4a is a fragmentary view of a liquid storage tank including avolume of liquid being withdrawn therefrom;

[0017]FIG. 4b is a fragmentary view of a liquid storage tank with aresidual volume of a liquid still held therein;

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a liquidstorage tank holding a volume of liquid, and having the liquidmanagement device according to the present invention installed;

[0019]FIG. 5a illustrates the liquid storage tank of FIG. 5 having avolume of liquid extracted;

[0020]FIG. 5b illustrates the liquid storage tank of FIG. 5 with aresidual volume of liquid;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid management deviceaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) ismerely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit theinvention, its application, or uses.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, a liquid management device or ananti-vortex/vapor-ingestion-suppression device (AVVIS) 10 is shown inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. TheAVVIS 10 operates in variable gravity environments and is affixed withina tank 12 near a sump 14 of tank 12. Sump 14 includes an outlet port 15.Extending externally from tank 12 and connected to outlet port 15 is anoutlet line 16. Tank 12 generally has a cylindrical wall 18 extendingbetween a tank bottom 20 and a tank top 22. It will be understood,however, that tank 12 may be any shape suitable for the intendedapplication. Tank 12 is a liquid storage tank where the liquid storedtherein exits through sump 14 and outlet port 15 and into outlet line16. Tank 12 is generally pressurized or has a higher pressure relativeto outlet line 16. The higher pressure of tank 12 helps to ensure thatfluid in tank 12 exits through outlet line 16 to its intendeddestination. Tank 12 forms a storage tank for a vehicle, and the liquidstored in tank 12 is generally a liquid propellant, particularly a fuelor oxidizer. The outlet line 16 leads to an engine which uses the liquidpropellant stored in tank 12 for powered flight. Generally, fuelsinclude high grade hydrocarbons, such as kerosene, and oxidizers includeliquids such as hydrogen peroxide.

[0024] With continuing reference to FIG. 1 and further reference to FIG.2, AVVIS 10 generally includes four vanes 24 which meet at a center orinterconnection area 26. Interconnection area 26 is generally directlyabove outlet port 15. Resting on a top edge 27 of each of vanes 24, andaffixed to the top edges 27 of the vanes 24 by any appropriate means, isa plate 28. Extending from a top surface 28 a of plate 28 and generallycoplanar with vanes 24 are bubble positioning vanes 30. Bubblepositioning vanes 30 also meet each other at the intersection area 26.At the outside terminus 24 a of each vane 24 is a post 31 to which theassociated vane 24 is affixed. Each vane 24 is affixed to its respectivepost 31 through any suitable means such as spot welding or adheringmaterial. Posts 31 are then mounted to sump 14, again by any appropriatefastening or adhering means. The posts 31 may each be press fitted intoassociated bores, formed in sump 14, or they may also be welded toposition the AVVIS 10 directly over the outlet port 15. In this way,AVVIS 10 is precisely affixed to sump 14 so that it does not move duringoperation.

[0025] Each vane 24 includes a plurality of vane bores 32. Vane bores 32have an exemplary diameter of preferably about 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) toabout 0.5 inches (12.70 mm). Vane bores 32, however, may have anydiameter that is suitable to the particular application for which theAVVIS 10 is used. Additionally, vane bores 32 are formed in a pattern oneach vane 24 that is generally nested. The pattern is one similar to anynested pattern of circles or spheres simply spaced apart by a distancebetween the centers of between about 0.6 inches (15.24 mm) and about 0.8inches (20.32 mm). Again, it will be understood by those skilled in theart, that vane bores 32 may be separated by any distance suitable to theapplication to which the AVVIS 10 is put. Generally, it is desirable tosize and position vane bores 32 such that each vane 24 is about 20% toabout 40% porous.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, vanes 24 are placed in at an angle ofpreferably about 85 to about 95 degrees to each other and form the bodyor main support structure of AVVIS 10. Plate 28 includes a plurality ofplate bores 36. Plate bores 36 are generally similar to vane bores 32such that vanes 24 and plate 28 may be formed from a single piece ofstarting sheet material. Plate 28 may either be a single piece or may beformed from a plurality of sections affixed to the top edge 27 of vanes24 in between two adjacent vanes 24. Plate 28 also forms a cone having avertex or center 37 coinciding with and adjacent interconnection area26. The cone formed by plate 28 has a directrix formed by an outerperimeter 38 of plate 28. The angle 2 of plate 28 (FIG. 3) from theouter perimeter 38 to the interconnection area 26 preferably is aboutnegative 5 to about negative 15 degrees from a plane 39 extendingperpendicular to post 31 and bisecting the outer perimeter 38. Thevertex 37 of plate 28 is below the outer perimeter 38 of plate 28, thusthe reason for the negative angle. It will be understood that the anglemay also be designated positive if viewed from the plane of the vertex37.

[0027] The bubble positioning or wicking vanes 30 extend from the topsurface 28 a of plate 28. Bubble positioning vanes 30 are substantiallysolid and do not generally include bores. It will be understood thatbubble positioning vanes 30 need not be coplanar with vanes 24 nor beequal in number to vanes 24. Bubble positioning vanes 30 have top edges40 that each extend at an angle 2N (FIG. 3) from a plane 43 extendingperpendicular to, and bisecting, an outside edge 44 and parallel to itsassociated post 31, towards the intersection area 26. Angle 2N ispreferably between about negative 3 degrees to about negative 15degrees. Again, the portion of bubble positioning vane 30 nearintersection area 26 is lower than the portion near outer perimeter 38,therefore the negative degrees. It will be understood that the degreesare positive if viewed from the plane of the portion of the bubblepositioning 30 vane near intersection area 26.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 4 through 4b, tank 12 is shown to containa liquid 42 and no liquid propellant management device to reduce a dip42 a in the upper surface level 42 b of the propellant attempting toexit tank 12. Here gas may be ingested into outlet port 15 and movedthrough outlet line 16. The initial dip 42 a is produced by inertiaforces due to draining of the tank. However, gas bubbles are morebuoyant and attempt to float up, which is in a direction opposite theinertia of the fluid moving out of tank 12 through sump 14. Therefore,this buoyancy to inertia effect initially creates dip 42 a and isincreased by the vortex motion of the liquid 42 as it attempts to exitthrough the outlet port 15. Dip 42 a, increased in size by a vortex,increases the likelihood of the ingestion of gas into outlet line 16.When there is enough liquid 42 in tank 12, as shown in FIG. 4, no dip 42a is present. However, as the liquid 42 empties out of tank 12, dip 42 abegins to form, as shown in FIG. 4a. The bottom of dip 42 a grows evernearer outlet port 15 as more and more liquid 42 is removed from tank12. Finally, as shown in FIG. 4b, dip 42 a enters outlet port 15 therebyallowing ingestion of gas into outlet port 15 and outlet line 16. Whengas is ingested into outlet line 16, it may cause the engine to stall.

[0029] Generally, gas in a propellant tank comes from the tankpressurization system. However, with propellants like H₂O₂, the liquidcan decompose into gaseous components. Cryogenic liquids also generategas when heated due to low boiling points. Furthermore, when liquid 42is removed several times from tank 12 several successive dips 42 a areformed. Each of these successive dips creates a chance for gas to beintroduced into the tank 12. The amount of liquid 42 left in tank 12when dip 42 a enters sump 14 is called the “residual volume”.

[0030] AVVIS 10 may be formed from a wide variety of suitable materialsincluding plastics, composite materials, or metals and metal alloys.Whatever material the device is fabricated from, it must be prepared foruse with the intended propellant. This includes pacification andcleaning for oxidizers, such as H₂O₂. The pacification of the materialhelps to reduce the reactivity of the material with the liquid 42 intank 12 especially, if the liquid comprises hydrogen peroxide. If theliquid is hydrogen peroxide, screens or larger devices would increasethe rate of break down of the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygengas. Neither water nor gaseous oxygen are proper propellants for anengine plus they increase the tank gas pressure possibly requiringventing of the tank to keep it within its structural limits. Therefore,it is necessary to substantially eliminate the breakdown of thepropellant.

[0031] AVVIS 10 also has a relatively small surface area that takes uponly a small portion of the internal volume of tank 12 and does notprovide a significant surface area for the breakdown of hydrogenperoxide. Generally, AVVIS 10 is no larger in diameter than sump 14,which in turn is preferably only about 20% of the diameter of tank 12.AVVIS 10 also has a height of preferably about one-half its diameter,but the actual dimensions depend on the application. It is to beunderstood, however, that AVVIS 10 may be used with any liquidpropellant that must be stored in tank 12 before it is removed.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 5 through 5b, AVVIS 10 provides a meansto reduce the residual volume of liquid 42 left in tank 12 afterattempting to empty tank 12 either through a propellant dump or throughan engine burn. Generally, tank 12 is pressurized to a pressure of about70-85 pounds per square inch (psi). Plate 28 acts as a vapor ingestionsuppression mechanism that initially reduces the downward motion of thegas liquid interface 42 b to form dip 42 a. As the bottom of dip 42 areaches plate 28, the friction on plate 28 removes the kinetic energy ofthe liquid gas interface thereby flattening or reducing dip 42 a formedin the liquid. The liquid 42 flows through plate bores 36 reducing thekinetic energy thereof. Plate bores 36 increase the interaction of plate28 with liquid 42 thereby increasing the effectiveness of plate 28 toreduce the kinetic energy of the liquid 42. Vanes 24 reduce the vortexformed by the liquid 42 as it attempts to leave tank 12. Vanes 24 reducethe momentum of liquid 42 as it enters sump 14. Vane bores 32 alsoincrease the interaction of vanes 24 with liquid 42 to help reduce themomentum of the liquid 42. Additionally, vane bores 32 allow the liquid42 to flow through vanes 24 as opposed to around the vanes 24. As theliquid 42 flows through vanes 24, the momentum of the liquid 42 isreduced to a greater degree than if the liquid 42 was forced to flowaround vanes 24 due to frictional energy dissipation. Additionally, ifthe liquid 42 was not allowed to flow through vanes 24, additionalmini-dips might be created between each of the vanes 24. As vanes 24reduce the vortex in the liquid 42, dip 42 a becomes less pronounced.Therefore, vanes 24 work in conjunction with plate 28 to resistingestion of gas into outlet line 16. Plate 28 initially reduces dip 42a while vanes 24 reduce the vortex force so that the vortex force cannotenhance the dip 42 a.

[0033] The residual volume that is not able to be removed from tank 12and must be accounted for or it may adversely affect a vehicle whichattempts to reenter the earth's atmosphere. Therefore, the residualvolume reduces payload that can be carried by a vehicle. With referenceto FIGS. 4 to 4 b, the progression of liquid 42 being removed from tank12 is shown without AVVIS 10. As the liquid 42 is removed from tank 12,dip 42 a becomes enlarged. At the time shown in FIG. 4b, dip 42 abecomes so great that gas is being, or will be, ingested into outletport 15 rather than liquid 42 alone. At this point, no more liquid 42can be safely removed from tank 12 without causing an adverse reactionin the engine. Therefore, FIG. 4b shows an example of a “residualvolume” that is left in tank 12 when AVVIS 10 is not present. Generally,the “residual volume” in tanks with no AVVIS 10 device is between about3% and 6% of the total capacity of the tank 12.

[0034] When AVVIS 10 is present, in a tank similarly sized and shaped asone shown in FIGS. 4 through 4a, residual volumes in tank 12 aregenerally no more than between about 0.5% to about 1%. FIGS. 5 through5b, show a progression similar to what is shown in FIGS. 4 through 4b.However, due to the presence of AVVIS 10, the dip 42 a is not present oris greatly reduced. The interaction of AVVIS 10 with the liquid 42 beingremoved from tank 12 reduces or eliminates the dip such that it does notsignificantly affect the removal of the liquid from tank 12. Therefore,the residual volume left in the tank 12 is greatly reduced whichenhances the efficiency of tank 12. Though a small residual volume maystill be present in tank 12 to ensure that no gas is ingested throughoutlet line 16, the residual volume is about three times less than theresidual amount of propellant left in tank 12 when no AVVIS 10 ispresent.

[0035] Bubbles are capsules of gas surrounded by liquid 42 in tank 12.The formation of bubbles may be through any number of mechanismsdescribed above. The cone shape of plate 28 helps position the bubblesaway from sump 14. In a liquid environment, since a bubble is morebuoyant it will tend to flow upward towards plate 28 out of sump 14.Once it encounters plate 28, it will then move along the angled underportion 28 b (FIG. 3) of plate 28 which is directed away from sump 14.Since a bubble will always tend to move up from the sump 14, angle 2 ofplate 28 will ensure that it moves out of sump 14 as well. If plate 28were flat, the bubble would only move up to the plate and then stop. Aflat plate would hold the bubble in place. Due to the angle 2 of plate28, the bubble moves away from and further out of the sump 14.

[0036] Bubble positioning vanes 30 act as wicking and bubble placementvanes. In a low acceleration or low gravity environment, capillaryforces of the liquid 42 force it into the interface of bubblepositioning vanes 30 and plate 28, thereby keeping plate 28 wet withliquid 42. The capillary forces created on bubble position vanes 30ensure that liquid 42 remains near the sump 14. If bubble positioningvanes 30 are not present to provide such capillary forces in lowacceleration environments, liquid 42 would be more likely to move awayfrom sump 14 and up walls 18 of tank 12. Additionally, bubblepositioning vanes 30 help to ensure that bubbles are positioned awayfrom sump 14, especially large bubbles formed on the top surface 28 a ofplate 28. Sump 14 is below AVVIS 10 whereas larger bubbles formed intank 12 would first encounter top surface 28 a of plate 28 beforeentering sump 14. Bubble positioning vanes 30 help move the bubbles awayfrom sump 14 in a similar fashion, as does plate 28 for bubbles formedin sump 14. Again, as bubbles are buoyant, they tend to move up and, dueto the angle 2′ of bubble positioning vanes 30, bubbles will tend tomove up and away from the sump 14 towards the outer perimeter 38. Thishelps to ensure a reduction or a non-ingestion of gas vapor from thebubbles into sump 14.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 6, on AVVIS 50 in accordance with a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The AVVIS 50includes anti-vortex vanes 52 in a generally vertical orientation thatintersect at an intersection area 54. Adjacent and affixed to the topedge 56 of each of the anti-vortex vanes 52 is a plate 58. Plate 58 hasa cone shape substantially identical to the cone of plate 28 describedin reference to the AVVIS 10 of the first embodiment. Bubble positioningvanes 60 extend above plate 58 and are substantially planar withanti-vortex vanes 52. Bubble positioning vanes 60 also intersect at theintersection area 54 but each is affixed to a respective tab 62 of oneof the anti-vortex vanes 52 which extends through plate 58. Then a rivetor other interconnecting means connects each of the bubble positioningvanes 60 with its respective tab 62 through bore 63 to hold each of thebubble positioning vanes 60 in place. Additionally, tabs 64 are formedon a bottom portion of each of anti-vortex vanes 52 with a bore 66formed in each mounting tab 64 to allow a screw or other fastening meansto be used to affix AVVIS 50 to a sump. Anti-vortex vanes 52 and plate58 contain bores substantially similar to bores 32 of AVVIS 10.

[0038] It is understood that the preferred embodiments described hereinmay be altered without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. AVVIS 10 or AVVIS 50 may be affixed to a sump 14 or a tank 12by any number of suitable. The edges of the anti-vortexing vanes 24, 52may themselves be directly affixed to the wall 18 of tank 12 withoutreducing the effectiveness of AVVIS 10 or AVVIS 50. Furthermore, therelative size of the plates 28, 58, anti-vortexing vanes, and the bubblepositioning vanes 30, 60 may be adjusted to produce the most desirableeffect depending upon the orientation and size of tank 12 into whichthey are placed. Furthermore, the overall size of AVVIS 10 or AVVIS 50may be adapted for the particular tank into which it is to be placed toproduce the optimum anti-vortexing and anti-vapor ingestion effect. Itwill also be understood that AVVIS 10 and AVVIS 50 are effective inenvironments that include gravity and those without gravity. Inparticular, the present invention is effective in reducing the vortexand vapor ingestion described herein as well as in wetting the plate,while in various gravity environments. AVVIS 10 and AVVIS 50 are alsovery helpful in respect to holding the liquid 42 near the sump 14 in lowand no gravity environments.

[0039] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in natureand, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of substantially reducing vaporingestion into an outlet of a liquid storage tank during transport of aliquid from the liquid storage tank through the outlet, the methodcomprising: limiting a formation of a vortex forming in a liquid bydisposing a first member within an area of vortex formation near theoutlet; disposing a second member relative to an outlet to reducefriction forces of the liquid, thus limiting a dip formed in the liquidas the liquid exits the storage tank; and transporting a bubble alongthe second member to assist in eliminating vapor ingestion into theoutlet.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein limiting a vortex includes:forming a plurality of bores in the first member, the plurality of boresserving to make the first member about 20 percent to about 40 percentporous.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein limiting a vortex includesdisposing a first end of said first member substantially adjacent theoutlet.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a plane defined by said secondmember is substantially parallel to the outlet of the tank.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: forming said first member toinclude a first end and a second end; and forming said second member togenerally define a cone having a vertex nearer said first end of saidfirst member than said second end of said first member.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: disposing a third member adjacent saidsecond member on a side opposite said first member.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein disposing third member includes: positioning said thirdmember in a plane extending parallel to and through said first member.8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: wetting said second memberthrough capillary forces of the liquid on a surface of said thirdmember.
 9. A method of managing a liquid with a liquid management devicewithin a liquid storage tank, wherein the tank has an outlet, the methodcomprising: suppressing the formation of a vortex of the liquid exitingthe storage tank through the outlet with a first member; suppressingvapor ingestion into the outlet with a plate having a first side, asecond side, and a center, said first side associated generallyperpendicular to said first member; and moving a bubble of gas away fromthe outlet with a second member operatively associated with said secondside of said plate, and disposed in a plane extending generallyco-planar with said first member.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: forming an intersection area located directly above theoutlet of the tank, including: disposing a plurality of said firstmembers and a plurality of said second members such that each intersectat said intersection area; and disposing a center of said plate adjacentsaid intersection area.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein suppressingvapor ingestion includes: forming said plate to have a vertex; includingan angle of between about 7 degrees to about 13 degrees towards saidintersection area.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein suppressing theformation of a vortex includes providing said first member with aporosity of about twenty percent to about forty percent.
 13. The methodof claim 9, wherein suppressing vapor ingestion includes providing saidplate with a porosity of about twenty percent to about forty percent.14. A method of substantially reducing vapor ingestion into an outlet ofa liquid storage tank, in any gravity environment, the methodcomprising: positioning a bottom of a first vane generally adjacent theoutlet; providing a plate generally perpendicular to said first vane andadjacent a top of said first vane; and wetting said plate with a secondvane extending from said plate to substantially maintain said plate in awet condition with a liquid.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: providing said first vane to have a first end and a secondend; and forming said plate to generally define a cone having a vertexnearer said first end of said first vane than said second end of saidfirst vane.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: disposingsaid second vane in a plane that is generally parallel to and extendsthrough said first vane.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein wettingsaid plate includes: providing a flow of liquid to said plate withcapillary action relative to said first vane.
 18. The method of claim14, further comprising: using said first vane to impart a selectedfriction on the liquid, wherein said friction reduces a vortex of theliquid as the liquid moves towards the outlet.
 19. The method of claim14, further comprising: moving a gas pocket formed in the liquid awayform the outlet; wherein said plate provides a surface along which thegas pocket is urged to move away from the outlet.
 20. The method ofclaim 14, wherein providing a plate includes: forming a plate having anexterior dimension less than about 5 times a dimension of the outlet.